Overview

The
New Jersey Department
of Transportation (NJDOT)
and NJ TRANSIT spearhead
a multi-agency Smart
Growth partnership known
as the Transit Village
Initiative. The Transit
Village Initiative
creates incentives
for municipalities
to redevelop or revitalize
the areas around transit
stations using design
standards of transit-oriented
development (TOD).
TOD helps municipalities
create attractive,
vibrant, pedestrian-friendly
neighborhoods where
people can live, shop,
work and play without
relying on automobiles.

Municipalities that are committed to TOD may be eligible for NJDOT Transit Village designation.

The Transit Village Initiative is an excellent model for Smart
Growth because it encourages growth in areas where infrastructure and public transit already exist. Municipalities must meet the Transit Village Criteria and complete a Transit Village Application in order to be designated a Transit Village

In addition to community revitalization, the Transit Village Initiative seeks to reduce traffic congestion
and improve air quality by increasing transit ridership. Studies have shown that adding residential housing options within walking distance of a transit facility; typically a one-half mile radius, increases transit ridership more than any other type of development. Therefore, one of the goals of the
Transit Village Initiative is to bring more housing, businesses
and people into the neighborhoods around transit stations.